Creating Opportunity Worldwide

Pro-ELT Teacher Training Materials

TaskUseful phrases for all parts of the Aptis test

Describing a picture generally1) Introduction- The photo/picture shows - In the picture, I can see a man +_____ing.

-At first glance, the picture looks as if2) What is where?- In the foreground/background, I can see ...- In the foreground/background, there is ...- In the middle/centre, there are/is ...- At the top/bottom, there is/are ...- On the left/right, there are/is ...- Behind/In front of ... I can see ...- Between ... there is ...-The central focus of this picture is- In the top left corner / bottom right corner of the picture, a man

- Theres / There are ...- There isnt a ... / There arent any

Speculating/describing the people/ objects in the picture- It seems as if ...- The lady seems/appears to be +____ing - Maybe ...- I think The woman looks as if she is holding The children are seemingly. The man can be seen From her facial expression, I can assume that- Perhaps this man is about to-Perhaps they are celebrating something- Maybe the reason they look so serious is that... She might be a busy working mother It looks like a It might be a He could be ing Maybe its a ... She seems pleased with herself-He looks like a contented otter floating in the water

Structuring your speech with discourse markers/ linkers etc-To start with

-First of all

-To begin with

-So then

-Finally-

-And another thing..

-Whats more

-In addition..

-Also

-Furthermore

-The main reason is..

-The second reason is..

-On top of that

-Other than that

Comparing- Both pictures are about being a parent- I think the common theme here is communication-They are similar in that they show two types of dwellings.

Contrasting- In contrast, the people in the second image look worried- On the other hand, in picture 2, the scene looks much more modern- Unlike the first photo, this looks like a happy occasion- Although both pictures share a common theme, they differ in terms of.

Expressing personal feelings- I wouldn't like to be in their shoes.- The first photo reminds me of my own childhood. Personally, I'd love to visit a place like that. Im not sure

Rephrasing- What I really mean is that ...- What I am trying to say is that ...-Let me put it another way

Fillers/ (to gain time)- Hmmm let me see- Well, ..-I guess....

- How shall I put it?

-What's the word I'm looking for? I guess....

Giving personal opinion- In my opinion /view...- Generally speaking, I think... Personally, I havent the faintest idea about/whether (starting with this expression may be interpreted as off-hand and could suggest that you have nothing else to say!)- To my mind,- I would say that this picture is- As far as Im concerned, Im quite convinced that (only use this expression to express a very strong opinion!)- To be quite honest / frank...- If you ask me- I think- I feel that- As I see it,- I'm sure that- I strongly believe that- I have no doubt that There's no doubt in my mind that I'd say this picture.

Contributed by: Glenda Thomas The British Council, 2014The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.

British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)